Match of the Millennium

Description: Vice and Mature, with their new pal Iori, decide to rustle up trouble in Strolheim.

{ Scene: Iori stumbles upon the encampment of Vice and Mature, centered around a helicopter in the mountains of Strolheim. Coming in on a scene already in progress, here... }

The boot never touched her side. As soon as her cheek was slapped, Vice rises to a quick stand, hands grasping at Iori... but the fact that she had very little air, as a aftereffect of the chokehold, was soon apparent to the woman. Falling to her knees, she begins to cough, both hands going to her throat and clutching it. Leaning forward a bit, her coughs rise in intensity, blood dripping from the corners of her lips a second or two before she spits a bit of blood unto the frozen ground, and then the woman just remains in that position, panting in a attempt to regain her breath.

Smoothing her hands over her dress Mature sighs and says, "Are you two going to be able to get along very well or not, if we're going to cause trouble we need to work together.. Anyway we'll need to confront Wolfy..." The woman licked her lips at that thought, "Or maybe I'll keep him to myself." Yeah, she seems to want another go at the big fella. A very self confident woman, to say the least. But then her senses are shaken back to reality. "If you two can't get over your differences in order for a greater good.. " She gestures toward the village, "Then you might as well get your fight out of your systems.. Though in my oppinion there are better targets."

Iori idly regards the deep scratches gouged into his arm -- his down-lined jacket having been made into a half-vest in the process of Vice's cuisinare-like attacks, not to mention the twin layers of cloth beneath that. But... eh. He doesn't particularly care one way or the other. He'd rather have continued beating Vice into submission, but as long as he seems to have new conversational partners, who don't mind putting up an interesting fight... he really couldn't care less. "Whatever," he concludes, sweeping the blood off his arm with a few strokes of his fingertips. "Just don't spend too much time in front of the mirror this time," he cautions -- and the low tone to his voice indicates Mature would do well to -heed- the warning. Cockblock.

Vice lifts the black sleeve of her dress to her lips, wiping the excess blood from her lips with a frown. Rising to her feet, she doesn't even bother to try to maintain any sort of posture, hunching over and allowing her arms to dangle in the posture that would bring to mind the Riot of Blood. Glancing over her shoulder, she -glares- at Mature, a snarl on her lips as she says warningly, "Mature...."

"You do your part, we'll do ours," is Mature's response to Iori telling her about her makeup. And then to Vice she says, "If you want to fight him I'm not going to stop you, the choice is yours." She steps aside and looks between the pair of them expectantly. Finally adding, "Just remeber, it doesn't matter what you have to do to win."

Iori shrugs, snarking back at Mature: "I'm fine with that. You do what you like, I just don't want to be pissing around for another hour before heading down to the city." As for her advisement of Vice, he doesn't seem particularly moved. If she wants to play dirty, so be it. As for Vice herself? She can attack him if she wants to, that's her prerogative. But it'd likely be an exercise in futility, as he feels he's proven beyond the shadow of a doubt. "... Whenever you ladies are ready."

"Have you gone -COMPLETELY- out of your mind?" Vice shouts at Mature, turning around to orient herself towards her. Stamping a foot forward towards the other Orochi woman, Vice nonetheless advances no further upon Mature, that motion seemingly the limit of the threats she will make towards her. So far, at least. After a flicker of the eyes over her shoulder in a glare towards Iori, she begins to make her way to Mature's side. "This is fucking -stupid-." she hisses towards Mature, her tone of voice threatening, but physically, she was not.

"What is the matter Vice, is it him or this idea? You think it's insane..? Why thank you dear, but most people aren't accustomed to be at the recieving end of violence and if things get out of hand, we leave. Simple as that. But do what you want." Mature replies, looking largly unfused by what Vice had to say. "But I'm not going to try to read your mind.. So there."

Iori, for his part, has already started walking back to town, the fact that his arm looks like it lost a fight with a piranha notwithstanding. It'd be difficult to read the expression on the man's face, though, since it's no longer turned towards the helicopter-based encampment -- he's already started walking back towards the city. Not in any great rush, personally, but he also doesn't believe in waiting around for women to get their ducks in a row.

Vice clenches her jaw tightly, hunching her posture over even further as her eyes glare venemously at the back of Yagami's head. Grinding her teeth together soon after, she shakes her head as if to clear it, a hand rising to rub harshly at her throat, Vice trying to erase the memory of those strong fingers clamped around it. "Whatever the -hell- you say, Mature." she says, turning her head away from Mature to spit on the ground. That being done, she begins to stalk off after Iori, her paced rushed at first, but slowing to match his when she gets five or so meters behind him.

The other Orochi woman smiles and follows along with a pleased expresion. She knows that this wouldn't result in the three of them ruling the german town, but she would have an easier time getting Vice and them to retreat after it turned badly. Mature happily followed along, curious to see how far they could take it but knowing it would end with violence and pain for many reguardless.

All this arguing and cussing! Megumi's not here to witness it, but maybe soon she will be. Having spent a day back in Southtown, she caught another flight back to Strolheim, though the airport was further back some. Edge of town. Less annoying to locals.

This leaves Megumi to get off her flight, carrying a bag of luggage with her. Noticably a little heavy for her, too, since she keeps shifting it around while walking into town. She may be unaware of the arguments, but it's possible she'll find out real soon.

Benimaru was here. He was in some town for quite a while now, on business rather than for fun. He's dressed up a bit more than usual, which was neccessary for yet another outdoor shoot. A german import, tan trenchcoat was over his body, with a matching fedora-ish like hat atop his head, and a dark business suit was worn under it with brown dress shoes, that was his attire for today, and beside him was just your average guy in slightly more casual wear, explaining which sites they were going to shoot at and which outfits were going to be worn, "Yes, yes, I know, I know.." the blonde grumble, pulling his hat down then over his face, "It doesn't matter to me, I just want to get this over with so I can do something more fun, Shino.." Nearby was a truck parked at the agreed location, in front of some shop or something, where another man was starting to drag out the neccessary equipment needed. Once he tipped his hat back up, a small smile formed on his face because he caught sight of Megumi- A damsel in distress no doubt, "I'll.. Be right back," he then murmurs, making his way on over to the woman.

Iori doesn't really say a whole lot on the trip back to town. For the most part, he's said anything he really =wants= to say to the two ladies. This trip goes just like he'd started it -- a cure for boredom. Sure, he's an employee of NESTS, but this is hardly official business. Nay... this is just for fun.

In =fact=. When the trio does make it back to town, Iori staying ahead of the two women (just as he damn well ought to be), lo and behold -- the first person he encounters happens to be Megumi. Someone he'd sworn to get even with after that embarassment called a Saturday Night Fight. And someone who he just can't keep from pissing off. "Bubblegum-head." he calls out to her -- not the most inventive derogatory he can think of, but it ought to be enough to get her attention. "Drop the luggage, bitch." It might not be the idea of mayhem the other two had in mind, but as he removes the one-armed jacket from his person, slinging it off to the side -- it's obvious he means business. And from the numerous cuts on his right arm -- which would be the -reason- the down-filled jacket's of no use -- he doesn't seem to have any qualms with a round of bloodletting. Benimaru notwithstanding.

COMBATSYS: Iori has started a fight here on the right meter side.

"MMMMmmm, this looks delicious, " Mature states, leaning foward to peer at the girl in a very Vice manner, that or very alluringly, except it's toward another girl and except that it is clearly maliciously based. She licks her rose colored lips and moves in to stand a bit behind Iori, letting him take the spotlight and the position of power. Clearly though she means to back him up. "Lets have fun together little girl, shall we?" Her voice is sweet like honey and at the same time slimey like a snake.

COMBATSYS: Mature has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

Vice was upset. That was was evident in her face. Her posture was hunched forward as she was prone to be most comfortable in, and when she spots Megumi, a flash of memory recalls who the girl was. One of the people involved in her defeat. A angry snarl curls her lip, yet she does not eagerly advance upon her like Mature. With a significant glance towards Iori, she snorts, the snarl dying on her lips. For now, it seemed she was only content to watch. Although the prospect of destruction was... exciting.

COMBATSYS: Vice has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

Megumi wasn't in trouble. Past-tense. She was just walking back into Strolheim with her bag, ready to wait for her next match. ...Then something felt really wrong. She noticed Benimaru heading her way. That wasn't the problem; eccentric though he may be, Megumi recognizes him from watching the last KoF and is pretty sure he's not ill-intentioned. Or at least not that kind of intention. But something felt really wrong.

'Bubblegum-head. Drop the luggage, bitch.' .../That/ would be the problem. Megumi freezes, then looks over her shoulder. "One...two...three....shit." She drops her bag, turning to face them. She heard what Mature said. "Three on one for just me? This...isn't good." No kidding. She's pretty sure she can outrun Iori. But Vice and Mature? Not 100% convinced she can get away from them. She brings her hands in front of her, forming a sparkling, bright red energy sphere in front of them.

Then it sticks to her right hand, and Megumi leans back...then leans way forward and pitches it at Mature with a loud yell. This is going to suck. She knows it's going to. But it's that or just /let/ them walk all over her, or...knowing Iori, quite possibly much worse.

COMBATSYS: Megumi has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

"B.. But Mister Nikaido! We'll be starting in just 20 minutes!" the man named Shino protests to the leaving Benimaru, the blonde just waving his gloved hand without even looking back,

"I'll only need five minutes," he replies confidently, a small chuckle of amusement passing his lips- the chuckle cut short as a familiar face then approaches Megumi, making his eyebrows quirk in concern.. What in heavens was this about anyway? Benimaru slipped a hand into his pocket, a gentle smile sent in Ioris direction, as he tosses his hat to him, "My my my, what's with all the aggression, hm? Ladies tend to prefer roses over filthy language."

COMBATSYS: Benimaru has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

"Hey, bubblegum-head. Looks like you're in a rough spot. I /thought/ I heard you yelling." Poking his head out of the second floor of a nearby building -- a restauraunt of some sort, judging by the sign at the bottom; an oddity in Germany, especially here. Namely, a place that specializes in Creole cuisine, where Rock's taken a habit of eating at. There's nowhere else he can get his fix of jumbalaya out here, and the Strolheim chefs suck at making it. Leaning out the window with both hands on the windowsill, the blond just cracks a grin... before taking note of the presence of Iori Yagami, and scowling distinctly. "... Great. That's just great." Once Megumi starts hurling projectiles, though, Rock is... climbing up, and /into/ the windowsill.

"Hey, Garcon! Put it on my tab, would ya? I've got some business to attend to." And then, just like that, he DIVES out of the window, dropping towards the ground with one fist striking downwards at the red-headed wonder, Iori; even as a purple 'wing' of raw chi blossoms from Rock's shoulder. "Didn't anybody tell you not to pick on girls, pal?!"

COMBATSYS: Rock has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

COMBATSYS: Iori parries Rock's Rage Run Dunk!

Mildly irritated that Megumi saw fit to prioritize Mature over himself -- especially since he'd gone to all the trouble of initiating this little brawl -- Iori starts to lunge forward to make his own first move. He hadn't expected her to be so quick in reacting, let alone in slinging an attack at Mature so soon -- heck, did they even =know= each other? But still, just before he's about to launch an attack, there's a crash of shattering glass -- and soon he's stuck between a Rock and the hard sidewalk.... he'd rather not be there. Taking a quick step forward, he swivels back around, slamming his forearm into Rock's extended arm to knock it aside, and then slams his other fist forward towards the descending boy's ribcage. "She's got you all fooled!" he roars, before slamming his =other= hand forward into an uppercut, clearly intended to knock Rock backwards so that he can leap into the air, coming crashing down with a two-fisted axehandle. "Megumi's no lady!" he cries, roaring with laughter. ... Who knows why he's laughing, though, anyone?

COMBATSYS: Megumi successfully hits Mature with Crimson Comet.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Benimaru         0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Iori
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Megumi           0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0           Mature
[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rock             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Vice

As the ball comes Mature looks quite amused and seems perfectly ready to dodge too. Perhaps she had the speed, perhaps she could of done it. But as Rock makes his apperance the distracted Mature looks to one side with a moment of surprise and looks back just in time to catch the ball square on. As the ball disapates Mature is looking VERY irritated now, her eyes narrowing a bit but she doesn't move right off. "You can touch me.. But then you'll have to die." She snarls at the girl and makes a beckoning with her hand. Otherwise she seems to just wait.

COMBATSYS: Mature focuses on her next action.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Benimaru         0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Iori
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Megumi           0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0           Mature
[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Rock             0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Vice

Well, wasn't this great? Yagami decides to pick on a little girl, in the middle of the damn day, in the middle of Krauser-town. And of course, hero-types were leaping out of windows, and whatnot. It was all just so great. If Mature wasn't here, she would just turn her back, and walk away. Maybe she would anyways! And right now, Megumi had attacked Mature.

Curling her lip in disgust, and leveling her eyes upon the 'bubble-gum head', Vice begins to charge the girl, attempting to ram her with her shoulder. "GET OUT OF HERE, GARBAGE!" she angrily shouts, right before she would hopefully make impact. Vice was already upset enough from Iori. This whole event was just making things worse.

COMBATSYS: Megumi fails to counter Mayhem from Vice with Flood Reversal.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Benimaru         0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0           Mature
[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Megumi had been worried about being dragged into a three-way dogpile-style beating. She really had been. Even striking Mature successfully doesn't make her all that elated; it's still three versus on--no. Three versus two. And possibly three on three, based on what Benimaru's saying...or maybe he plans to help out the ladies, plural.

But Rock diving out the window like that catches Megumi by surprise too, and she's about ready to charge in to help him, now worried that /he/ will get that 3-way-beating. But Vice is heading her way, and Megumi stops to try and catch the attack, only to have her foot skid on the dirt. She loses her footing, and is absolutely /smashed/ backwards, rolling head over heels several times and falling out flat on the ground, stunned. It actually did cause a momentary blackout, and now she's trying to get back up...

Benimaru continued to smile in Ioris direction, giving a small shake of his head and raises a hand to his forehead, no doubt ready to spout some really cool quote that would cause all the ladies eyes to become little hearts and swoon over how damn cool he is. But unfortunatly as soon as his lips part, Rock comes blazing into the scene, "... Ah.. Huh." Well, that's one problem taken care of, and look at that it was the fellow who was teamed up with Chun-Li in the tournament. That should be interesting, he thinks, tch'ing as he slips both hands into his pocket when Iori rushes his opponent.
A groan then followed as he spied Mature and Vice, he really would prefer not having to have to battle either of the women, and with the quick sizing up he gave Megumi, it seemed safe to assume she could handle Vice, even if she was a little off kilter- But he liked that in a woman.
So with that, walked rather calmly over to the secretary in white, brushing a hand through his hair, "Excuse me, but.. There isn't any chance I could talk you out of this madness, could I? Two on two seems just fine with me, we could watch over a glass of wine or something.." he suggests with a gentle smile, "I don't know what this is all about, but it can't be that important, can it?"

COMBATSYS: Benimaru takes no action.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Benimaru         0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0           Mature
[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Rock blocks Iori's Aoi Hana EX.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Benimaru         0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0           Mature
[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Rock grits his teeth as Iori whirls around, but he's not going to give him time to land a blow. As his opponent strikes at him, Rock brings his forearms up to shield himself, taking it on the forearm instead of the rib. He's pushed back a little back, but he looks none the worse for the wear after the strike. Red eyes dart right and left, trying to assess the status of the situation. "Jeez, Megumi, you sure do know how to make enemies..." And then cringing, as the pink-headed girl is absolutely smashed by Vice. That stung. "... You're outclassing me, at this rate. I guess I better piss Mr. Forelock here just as much as you have." He sounds confident, but the grinding of his teeth betrays the fact that Rock is taking this fight just as seriously as he should. "Heh. I'm glad I'm finished with round two, already... I can afford to take a little beating." Even though they're all but point blank, Rock takes off for Iori, launching himself forward with a single lunge like a human missile, his right elbow trained on the Yagami fighter's jaw, looking to return the favor that was done for him.

COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Rock's Hard Edge.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0           Mature
[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Iori would have been more than happy to continue pissing off Megumi, but... well, Rock keeps throwing things into his path. Like his fist, and now his elbow. Yagami throws up his forearm to deflect the appendage, once more gaininga cocky smirk. He always did wonder how Rock was able to talk so fast in the midst of a fight like that. He'd only ever had time to roar, personally. Roar, and attack -- which is what he tries to execute, by darting the talons of his other hand under Rock's lunged elbow. The goal is to stab his fingernails into the boy's ribcage, and then uppercut four parallel canyons through his flesh before withdrawing his hands. Whether he's successful against the quick Howard boy, though, is another matter entirely.

The move Vice lands on Megumi brings a broad grin to Mature's lips. She watches in admiration for a moment and then Benimaru comes up to her in an attempt to.. Turn her heart pure with his good looks and manly allure? The blond assasin stares in momentary disbelief before she decides she can work with that. Sliding one leg out from her dress, the fabric moves a bit away from her thigh and though her shorts perserve modesty, the allure might be great if a man were looking. Now to show Iori what all the make up is for. "Mmm, I think a man like you could.. arrange a way I might stop this maddness.." She brings her hands on in an attempt to stroke Benimaru's cheeks and whispers, "You can touch me..." She attempts to grab him hard around the throat, and in a venomous voice adds, "But then I get to kill you." Her expression is still a smile but now sadistic one as she tries to grab - choke, and toss the man a fair distance like a rag doll.

COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Benimaru with Death Blow.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0           Mature
[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Vice wastes no time. As soon as she recovered from bashing Megumi into the air, Vice begins to dash after her, to stand within a meter of Megumi as she began to get back up. Normally, she would feel better after hurting someone that badly. But... she didn't. Her face was a mask of fury, lips parted in a snarl which was a familiar look for the Orochi woman. Curling her left hand into a fist, she attempts to loom over the woman with her hunched self, shaking the fist at her.

"Gonna choke me, you red-haired -BASTARD-? Huh? Think you're fuckin' strong, is that it?" she venemously spits at Megumi, swinging her fist at the nearest wall, causing the brick of the building to crack. "YOU WANT ME TO CHOKE YOU?" she shrieks, but makes no motion to actually do so to the pink-haired warrior.

COMBATSYS: Vice focuses on her next action.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0           Mature
[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Megumi is pink-haired. Not red. Though maybe Vice has a vision problem and is mistaking her for Iori, or just seeing her hair wrong. Megumi certainly has a vision problem too, her head reeling from the blow she just took. "...Ggh" is about as witty a retort as she makes as Vice looms. Even Rock's comments on her tendency of making enemies are unanswered, she's too stunned. Vice looks ready to kill her. Absolutely ready to slay, and Megumi is very worried about this. There's no time for fancy Aiki techniques.

What happens next isn't so much a technique, so much as a manifestation of desperation. Megumi just brings her hands together, then swings them out wide, screaming. One of those 'get away from me!' sort of screams. And as her hands go wide apart, they cause a rather unshapely blob of red energy to form and try to blast Vice away from her.

Benimaru definatly liked what he saw, as perhaps to be expected, the young mans eyes traveled downward to the exposed leg, eyebrows raising in what would most likely be interpreted as 'interest'. This also catches him off guard, as he had expected the woman to just lash out at him- It seems his good looks and smooth talking has saved the day! "Touch you? My goodness, but we've just met," he replies, smiling even broader now, easily goaded into letting his guard down.
That unfortunatly was a huge mistake, his eyes crossing as a result of the hold, and with a toss and an ungraceful crash to the floor later, the model sits up and spits, rubbing his throat, "Ugh.. Well, that was embaressing.." he mutters, getting to his feet and brushes the dust off of his trenchcoat, "Wait, that didn't count as touching you, did it?" he asks in a half-joking tone, "No hard feelings?"

COMBATSYS: Benimaru takes no action.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|=------\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0           Mature
[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Rock blocks Iori's Sakahagi.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0           Mature
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Germany is a mildly interesting place, once you get past the bizarre customs and choices in media idols. Things to see, places to do...Germany could certainly do worse, and Strolheim likely represents one of those diamonds-in-the-rough...at least, insofar as Tony is aware. The fact that he's out of the tournament just gives him more free time than anything else...the kind of free time that he simply hasn't had lately. Bouncing between jobs, fights on the side, and jetlag, having absolutely nothing to do was actually kind of refreshing.
Walking out of a small eatery, Tony's attention is fixated on the object he has in his hands--encased in a freshly baked roll, one of those German Sausages he'd heard so much about. Would it be on par with Metro City's Delicious Foods, Turkeys, Pizzas and other tastinesses often found inside trash cans, barrels and other bizarre containers? He was mere moments from finding out.

"HEY! PRETTYBOY!" Rock practically barks at Benimaru, as he continues to do what looks, from the view out the corner of Rock's eye, like flirting. "These three, if you haven't noticed, want to KILL US." Iori rushes his way one more time -- but Rock is still ready for him, both arms lashing upwards to shield himself from Yagami's blast. He manages not to get himself snagged, but he definitely feels the scratching fingernails... on his forearms, granted, and through a layer of leather. Better than on his torso, without a doubt. And then...

Rock just drops out from underneath Iori, snatching at the warrior's ankles instead. Even as he makes the grab, he's still yelling at Benimaru. "So anytime you want to chip in, /feel free/!"

COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Rock's Shinkuu Nage.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0           Mature
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Rock's rapid grab transitions into a whirling of his arms, using Iori's own mass as a counter-weight to fuel the throw: The result should be Iori, sent flying. It's going to hurt, but the most important aspect? It's going to get him /away/, and give Rock time to catch his breath away from the nonstop assaults of Iori, and that's what he wants.

Iori may be flung aside, but really -- once he's tossed into the air from Rock's attack, he's quick to pivot around in mid-air, landing on his feet -- the only real damage coming from the sudden jarring of his limbs in ways he didn't want them to go. But really, Iori's fight isn't with Rock. He'd started this fight with one goal in mind -- piss off Megumi, and make her HURT for that Saturday Night Fight showing. She might think her win means nothing, but the fact of the matter is -- Iori was the only man with the balls to attack the 'lady' more than twice, and that's partly what ensured her victory. That was a tournament fight -- this is about =honor=. Well, what honor can be had in attacking an otherwise defenseless girl on the way back from the airport, just before another scheduled bout of hers. Vice seems to have the situation well in hand, but he can't help but tip the scales in their favor -- especially once she'd called his attention with that 'red-haired bastard' quip. He was almost sure she'd meant him! "Vice, don't let this discourage you from choking the life out of her," he rumbles, dripping with sarcasm -- but where 'dripping' is concerned, the real threat is the orchid of flame Iori loosed upon the ground, aimed low and intended to knock a bit more of the fight out of Megumi's fast-moving feet.

The look on Mature's face remains to be sweet and sadistic. "You want to touch me? I suppose that doesn't count does it. . Poor baby, you didn't get your prize." The blond leans foward, her cleavage rather obvious in this position. "If you wannna touch be love, first you have to reach me." And with that she swipes her hands through the air, her nails trailing with Chi energy and sending a wave toward the man.

COMBATSYS: Vice dodges Megumi's Crimson Comet.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|====---\-------\0           Mature
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Mature's Ebony Tears.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Megumi           0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0           Mature
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Vice -was- able to tell the difference between the colours red and pink. And she certainly possessed fine vision. But she had a problem. The red haze that constantly floated through her mind had begun to thicken earlier, by this time, it was a wonder Vice could think. Iori's taunt only worsened things. "CHOKE HER?" she shouts, spending the next few moments to stare at nothing, allowing whatever Megumi's reaction to Iori's fireball was to go unnoticed.

Slowly, Vice's unsteady eyes would track to whereever Megumi was now. Her next words began with a low hiss, that evolved into a shout. "No, no, you worthless piece of gutter slime. I'm going to CHOKE YOU!" With that being said, Vice would lunge at Megumi, hoping to take her throat with the iron grip of her left hand. If Megumi was standing at the time, she would slam her flat on her back. Whatever Megumi's position, Vice would manuever her to be flat upon her back. Then she would sit on the young warrior's belly, pinning her to the ground while the grip on her throat would tighten further, and further, unfortunately for Vice, that would leave Megumi's arms free, but Vice wasn't exactly thinking straight, at this moment.

COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Megumi with Yami Barai.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0             Iori
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Megumi           1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0           Mature
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Megumi blocks Vice's Quick Throw.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0             Iori
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Megumi           1/---====/=======|=====--\-------\0           Mature
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Megumi is down on the ground. She starts to roll over to get back up...then Iori's flame slams into her. Not in the feet like he wanted to, but into her ribs. She /screams/, the fire pretty much igniting all of her in a purple blaze. It fades away with nary a burn-mark to show for it, but it really did hurt. And then Vice is upon her, pinning her down and...starting to choke her. Megumi is, at first, too stunned and too hurt to do anything about it.

But eventually she gets some composure, and shoots her hands up at Vice's choking wrists. She's not tugging at the front of them. No. She's pushing up on them from behind, which is a much easier way to break the hold. Megumi gets out of it and rolls away, then jumps back up.

"I don't know what I did to you...but I'm not going to die here!" Semi-bravado; the word choice is firm, the tone it's delivered in is hurt and fairly frightened. But she's trying. Arms high and low, then wide apart; a red energy wall forms. It goes forward a few feet, then Megumi starts to run towards it. Once she crashes through it, her physical condition may look a little better. The 'wall' will fade away after that.

Benimaru at this point isn't exactly sure what to make of Mature. Sure, she was quite easy on the eyes, even her voice was rather alluring, but this mixture of sex-and-violence wasn't a combination he was very comfortable with. Truth be told, it kind of freaked our hero out a bit, he wasn't all that fond of S&M. Her blue eyes narrowed, glancing in Rocks direction, the other blonde pretty much putting things in perspective, which he responds to with a nod of his head, "Tsk, that's the worst news I've heard today," he crossed his arms in front of him in response to Matures swipe, his hair blowing back a bit and small sparks of electricity fly from the contact.
One thing was for certain, she was -fast-. Either that, or those flashes of oh-so-sexy flesh was slowing down his reactions, Benimaru cursing as he looked to the now well slashed sleeves of his trenchcoat, "....... Ugh." But he could keep his cool, while he was reluctant to do so, it seemed he had no choice but to take the beauty down, "Fair enough, but don't go cheating me out of my 'reward'," he finally replies, closing the distance quickly with a short hop and then delivers a swift knee to the womans gut.

Tony sinks his teeth into the sausage, chewing complacently. A swallow...followed a few seconds later by a slight smile. "Daaamn," Tony mutters, looking at the end of the sausage he bit off. "That's a really tasty sausage." Tony begins to walk down the sidewalk, attention focused on his food before the sounds of combat snap him out of his reverie. A six man brawl? That was worthy of watching. Walking up to within maybe twenty feet of the periphery(Enough space to stay out of things, maybe?) His eyes slip from fighter to fighter, watching each participant work their particular mojos. With the few seconds he's actually seen, there's nothing there to really clue him in to the fact that this isn't exactly a friendly fight. Besides...nothing makes a meal better than Sex and Violence.
"I love this place. Fightzerland, Germany."

While Iori is focusing on Megumi -- in fact, from the very moment he lands -- there's something else headed towards him. He's busy attacking Megumi after landing, hurling that blast of energy his her way... Rock's doing the exact same, trying to estimate and strike the spot that Iori /will/ land. If everything works out, Yagami should get nailed by twin waves of chi, one after the other, the moment he fires his own at Megumi. "Hey! Leave her alone, pal -- I'm your opponent! Double... REPPUKEN!"

COMBATSYS: Iori parries Rock's Double Reppuken!

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0             Iori
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Megumi           0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

Iori raises an eyebrow at Rock, even starting to laugh at the sudden call to action. "What's that?" he asks, turning his glance - but not his body - back to 'his opponent' while unfurling his palm towards him, presenting another purple flame for his perusal. "Technically, you're not. You jumped into this gig, Howard, and you're not worth my fucking time. Back the fuck off." And just to add insult to injury, he clenches his fist -- his entire form utterly -exploding- into a conflagration of amethyst flame. But it's not the same hue as Rock's flames -- rather, it's Iori's own, with Rock's Double Reppuken having been swallowed whole and devoured. Yum. And when that burst of flames dies down, Iori's hand is already extended his towards Megumi -- completely undeterred by Rock's attempt to stop it. "Fire in the hole, sweetcheeks." he notes once more in warning to Vice.

COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Mature with Iai Geri.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0             Iori
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Megumi           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

As Megumi starts to gather her power, Mature's expression goes from curious to uncertain to just plain annoyed. "You're an annoying little pest-!" She exclaims and then notices Benimaru. She tries to block, but she's too slow and finds herself struck and sent rolling. However doing her best to stand up into an attack, Mature throws her arms out,her nails sending a wave of energy toward the girl. "Here... Girl.. a kiss to make it all better." It's not untill now that Mature shows the pain of the blow she just recieved, doubling over a little and gasping for breath and taking a moment to straighten.

COMBATSYS: Megumi successfully hits Megumi with Restoration Aura.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|======-\-------\0             Iori
[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Megumi           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Megumi with Yami Barai EX.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0             Iori
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Megumi           1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Megumi dodges Mature's Ebony Tears.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0             Iori
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Megumi           1/------=/=======|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0             Vice

At the moment, the only sort of warning that would've penetrated the fog around Vice's mind would most likely include her name. 'Sweetcheeks', was not her name. A description of what he was attempting would've been nice, too. The flash of light that was the wall causes Vice to shy away for a few moments, before the light fades. When Vice refocuses her eyes upon Megumi, she was frowning now.

Turning her head to spit off towards the nearest wall, Vice narrows her eyes upon Megumi, her posture hunching forward even more than it usually was. That wasn't quite Iori. It didn't matter. She was moving, and the very look of her heaped more and more anger into her heart. No more. "No MORE!" Vice shrieks, lunging forward at the girl. Attempting to grab her around the middle, she would heft her up, spin her upside down, and slam her into the ground below them both, finishing with a short hop away from her.

COMBATSYS: Vice successfully hits Megumi with Mithan's Robe.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0             Iori
[                      \\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Megumi           1/----===/=======|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

Megumi crashes through her 'wall', strengthed muchly by it...only to find Iori's sending those incredibly fast flames into her again. This time it strikes her leg and trips her to the ground, shrieking again..this is starting to become downright agonizing. Which is probably the intent Iori had in mind. Suffer, then die.

But even as she trips, she rolls smoothly and rises, then dives sideways to avoid Mature's blast. That's about when Vice overtakes her, lifts, and drives her into the ground hard. No witty retort to that, either.

No bravado, either. That got blasted out of her quickly. Unable to mount an offense, stay on her feet for very long, or otherwise make any meaningful progress...Megumi is forced onto the defensive. Forcing herself to one knee, she does the high-low/wide gesture to make another energy wall. All she can think of now is just...staying alive, somehow. Anything to keep from being completely disabled.

Benimaru looked a little suprised once Mature manages to not only throw out another attack so quickly, but lashes out at Megumi instead of himself! His expression soured a bit that at that point, "Tsk.. Looks to me like you didn't tell the truth, gorgeous," he murmured, but one question did strike hard in his mind- Why were they all intent on taking down that one girl? Perhaps then, the best strategy at the moment would be to take down the leader and then hopefully the followers would retreat? The trick would be to take him down before Megumi ended up getting obliterated, "... A little longer than five minutes," he then muttered to himself, the slender man now raceing at Iori, teeth grit as threw his right fist forward, his hand bursting with electrical energy in mid-strike.
Knock knock. Who's there? "RAIJIN KEN!" right in the face.

Another bite, and Tony continues to stand around, looking for the most part entertained. Vice's screeching draws his attention over to her specifically, which in turn draws his lips down into a light smirk. She might be crazy, or retarded according to Cody, but it was still amusing to watch her go....just as long as it wasn't against him, where he'd have to defend himself. His attention starts to waft again, locking in on Mature.
"Th'hell?" Tony queries, maybe just a little too loudly. It wasn't exactly the participant he was planning on seeing, though he's quick to divert to Iori. He saw nothing. Nope. Fights are good. Fights are happy.

Shit. This isn't working out very well, is it? Rock's Double Reppuken is all but snuffed, leaving Megumi out in the cold. But Rock isn't walking about because Iori tells him to. In fact, the youth in red is /sprinting/ at Iori as he and his cronies gang up on Megumi. "Yagaaaaaaami!" Gritting his teeth, Rock's goal is simple: Ram into Iori with as much speed as he can muster, and convince him that the young Howard is /not/ a foe to ignored, even when he isn't having one of his best days.

COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Benimaru's Raijin Ken.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1             Iori
[                      \\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Megumi           0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Rock's Random Weapon.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1             Iori
[                      \\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Megumi           0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

Iori hadn't really counted the blonde in the fight earlier, since... well, he kept trying to sweet-talk Mature. But now that he's aimed a Raijin Ken at him, Yagami really has little choice but to turn to address him, throwing up both his arms in an attempt to block the electrical strike. "Again, none of your fucking business, Nikaido. This is personal." He throws his shoulder into block the attack, grinning as his guard seems to be more than adequate -- but really, all Benimaru did was succeed in pushing him back further. And when Rock comes at him? Well. All he has to do is keep running towards Megumi, and the boy goes whizzing past like a missed QB sack. Shaking his head, he laughs back at Rock. "You amuse me, kid."

But really -- Megumi's still Yagami's target. And while Vice may still be -close-, he taps her on the shoulder when he approaches -- before slinging another burst of purple flame at the ground before Megumi's feet. And then, stepping away from Vice, he unleashes another blast of flame, aimed to hit the first and trigger a medium-yield explosion. By this time, Vice should have gotten the picture that attacking again might be a really bad move -- as Iori reels both hands over his head, and then SLAMS them both down into the concrete, triggering a fault line to erupt between the impact crater and Megumi, unleashing a torrential, diagonal blow of Orochi-tainted destruction at her. Grudge? Yyyyyeah, you could say that.

The blond woman notices that no attention is on her and she turns back toward Megumi. Her eyes are stern and fixed, her lips tight and persed. "You're too much of a threat.." Mature acknowledges of Megumi. Had it just been two, or one against her, the blond assasin wonders if the girl could ever be beaten. Drawing her arms up again she makes a swipe in the air, sending a wave of chi energy toward Megumi again and calling, "Now go to sleep forever!"

The tap on Vice's shoulder causes Vice to swipe at whatever the hell touched her, her sole focus on Megumi. Then the world seems to explode into fire before her. Holding her arms defensively before herself against the blaze, Vice nonetheless lowers her arms after the blaze dies down, narrowing her eyes towards the girl once more.

With a snort, Vice bends over, and scoops... something off of the ground, flinging it towards Megumi rather than risk whatever she did to cause that fire.

The object? A flowerpot, with a happy little red flower blooming out of it.

COMBATSYS: Megumi successfully hits Megumi with Restoration Aura.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Megumi           0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Iori successfully hits Megumi with Yami Sugi.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[                            \\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Megumi           1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Vice successfully hits Megumi with Thrown Object.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[                                < >  /////////////////             ]
Megumi           1/---====/=======|=======\-------\0           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Mature successfully hits Megumi with Ebony Tears.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[                                < >  /////////////////             ]
Megumi           1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[                                < >  /////////////////             ]
Megumi           1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1           Mature
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0             Vice

Megumi tries to jump back from Iori's flame-column, which...does a nice job of giving her momentum towards a wall of the cafe Rock leapt out of. Her energy-wall hits her at the same time, but it's...just not enough to matter. She's smashed against the wall, legs forward, sitting with her back propped up by the cafe. She...tries to bring her hands up to stop Mature's Ebony Tears blast, but she just /can't move./ It strikes her, knocking her head against the wall...and then Vice's flower pot...block it...do something, Megumi...

No. Her mind is screaming 'DO SOMETHING!', but her body just, isn't, moving. She's not unconscious, incredibly. Somehow, her eyes are still open. She can see Iori, Vice, Mature...

...And she's trying to do something about it. She gets a hand up, pointing it at them...red energy sparkles briefly, then fades as her hand falls. Still not unconscious, but clearly she just can't move. 'This is it...', her thoughts right now. Stories tell of a soon-to-die-fighter finding a lot of peace in that moment. /Bullshit./ Megumi is scared as hell right now, even if she's too pummeled to express it very well. No screams, no frightened look, just pain.

COMBATSYS: Megumi takes no action.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1           Mature
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |===----\-------\0             Vice

COMBATSYS: Megumi can no longer fight.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1           Mature
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |===----\-------\0             Vice

Benimaru's hair whipped a bit to the side when Rock went racing by, his eyes widening and he wondering what the hell that was.. Though then it was obvious it was just Iori with his outstanding dodging skills, "Have the devils luck to do that, Iori," he mutters, "But you're wrong, when a lovely woman is in a situation like this, it's undoubtedly my business," he shrugged off his trenchcoat then, tossing it to the side and suddenly realizes he made one fatal error.
Perhaps more of his time should have been spent protecting Megumi rather than goofing off, but now it's too late, and he has only himself to blame. The long haired blonde looked over his shoulder back to the fallen girl, hands tightening into fists and sparks of rage swirl and snake about his body, "... Damn you, Yagami.. You really.. Really piss me off sometimes," he hisses.
But instead of lashing out at the red haired man or his assocciates, her twirls around, back to the entire party to assist Megumi and attempts to scoop her up in his arms, ".. This was my fault. I'll get you help."

COMBATSYS: Benimaru takes no action.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|-------\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Rock             0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1           Mature
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |===----\-------\0             Vice

"Go to sleep forever?" Tony repeats, blinking. It certainly wasn't what he was expecting to hear, but it didn't necessarily bother him either. Not too long ago, Tony told Mature to be more violent, more aggressive. Granted, he had no idea how violent Mature could be to begin with, but those were his words. If the Megumi-squashing was any indication, his job was done well. "Ooh, Good shot!" Did Mature need a cheering section? One would imagine not. But there Tony was, lauding the finishing shot. The fact that both were working in tandem caught his attention, but hadn't earned any more questioning. Maybe he pushed the blond too far?
Benimaru's show of mercy draws a deepening out of him, turning that smirk into a genuine frown. He wanted to be entertained, but he wanted it through a /good/ fight, not a cheapshot. "You're going to get kicked so freaking hard in the back of the head, it's going to hurt me and this delightful sausage I bought. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to turn your back on an enemy, or was that the big conspiracy to keep you beatable?" A little poking might get Beni's head back in the game, or so the logic went for Tony.

As Iori drops Megumi for good, Rock - staggering past and away from the wielder of tainted flames - whirls around just in time to see. And that's when he gets really angry. No fancy taunts. Just a howl of unfiltered rage before Rock hurls himself, once more, at the red-haired warrior. "Everything you did... I'm going to make you feel, /double/!" As he rushes forward, both of the youth's hands blazing with purple chi. It's Rock's Double Reppuken... only without the technique, without the focus. The chi is tossed from Rock's hands without ever having time to hit the ground, directed at the cruel fighter's /face/.

COMBATSYS: Rock successfully hits Iori with Double Reppuken.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Rock             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1           Mature
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |===----\-------\0             Vice

Iori chuckles as he sees Megumi fly back against the wall. And then get pummeled by numerous other attacks. Shaking his head, he takes a moment to breathe in a long, cathartic breath... aided by the fact that Rock's taking a while to run over to him. "You wanna try your Weeble impression again, and keep standing up to me? Try it. It's been fun, bitch. ... But have a nice fucking nap." It's really a pity, though, that he spends so much time ignoring Rock and Benimaru, that he only notices Benimaru when he gets into range. "I shoulda figured you pussies would stick together. Treat your lady to a nice bottle of wine, then... just for me, smack her around with--"

Unfortunately, Iori doesn't get to finish his sentence, because he'd forgotten to un-ignore Rock. He knew the boy wasn't close, but didn't even -realize- the speed of the attack raging towards him. He was used to ground waves -- he didn't even know what hit him, just feels himself knocked off to the side, spinning like a top before falling to the cracked concrete sidewalk.

Growling, Iori pushes himself back to his feet. "Yeah. Real fucking noble, boy..." he chuckles, rising once more with a brilliant plume of orchid rising from his hand. He levels the flame towards Howard, letting the flower bloom upon his fingertips as he speaks. "... You always think you can save them? And yet... you always try to draw the fire, instead of getting in front of it. Think you're such a tactical genius, don't you?" Chuckling once more, he shakes his head. "Why don't you try blocking it for them, shit-for-brains?" And with that, he turns a harsh one-eighty, literally -pitching- the softball of flame towards Benimaru, letting it blaze over towards him and hopefully nail Megumi for a bit -more- damage. Unless the Howard boy wants to take -that- bullet, for a change.

As the move Mature sends connects, along with a great deal other attacks she sinks down, breathing heavily. "That.. that was fun.. lets do it again ... sometime." She says toward the girl... Well she probably won't hear Mature. It isn't as nice as it might sound though, her voice is sarcastic and cruel. No warmth. Settling back now, clearly doing nothing but regaining energy Mature adds, "Dream a million sweet dreams."

COMBATSYS: Mature takes a breather.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Rock             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1           Mature
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |===----\-------\0             Vice

Vice watches Megumi sink to her knees with a intensely interested look. There... there.... Iori? No... someone else was unable to move further. Unable to scream, perhaps unable to twitch away from her. But there wasn't anything left for Vice in that direction. A wave of depression that was felt both sad, and frustrating flows through her at the end of... release. But then who should step into view, but Benimaru. He was bending over the girl, and murmuring... who the hell cared! Let him have her, if he wanted.

With a dismissing wave of her hand towards both beautiful Beni and the warrior Megumi, and a small sigh, Vice twists around to look for Mature, a certain sense of soberiety returning to her mental state. Reaching up a hand to scratch at her neck, her eyes light upon Mature, her brow furrowing as she tries to process what the hell just happened. A slight frown touches her painted lips, and she begins to wander over Mature's way, unknowing, or uncaring of the destruction she just caused.

COMBATSYS: Vice takes no action.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Rock             1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1           Mature
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |===----\-------\0             Vice

You can practically hear the doom before it actually gets here.
Down the street comes Wolfgang Krauser, not even bothering to wear his ceremonial armor. He's prepared for combat, flanked by a squad of Strolheim-contracted fighters. He's come prepared. But wouldn't you, if you had Vega, Geese, and R in your town, and just heard a huge explosion? They stop some twenty feet from the fight, allowing the tall German to survey what is going on.
His nephew Rock, a competitor in the tournament, attacked. Megumi, knocked out of the battle completely. Benimaru fighting - fighting who? Mature. Vice. Rugal's minions, the ones that just don't take no for an answer.
In a booming voice twinged with impatience, Wolfgang declares, "I can not allow this insult against Strolheim and the Krauser family to continue! You will /see/ the error of your ways, /whelps/!"
That said:
The Dark Kaiser barrels into combat, leaving his guard to stay back and overlook the carnage. Angling towards the first secretary in his path, Mature, he closes the distance in a flash. The nobleman's leg blurs as it whips upwards, aiming to catch the girl under her chin and snap her head right off.

COMBATSYS: Krauser has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Krauser          0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0             Vice

Megumi...can hear Mature. Kind of. She didn't hear the voice clearly, but she heard. Not that she's able to say much about it. When Benimaru steps over to pick her up...she tenses. Well, about as much as she can in her shape, giving him a very glazed-over look. She manages to point a finger at Tony, though her hand's limp otherwise. "Turn...around."

And as for picking her up? That'll be easy. Megumi's not heavy at all. Benimaru's going to just be hauling around a deadweight, is all.

Benimaru looked apologeticly to Megumi, but then gave a weak smile as it was obvious that she was at least still alive; Just.. not doing so well. Once she was settled in his arms, just before he could take off he couldn't help but give Tony a considerably annoyed look, he (much to his own suprise) actually recognized the face, ".. Whatever. Get lost, little boy." he replied, and then he glanced over his shoulder at about the same time Megumi gave her warning. Damn. He hates it when somebody else is right, but maybe... Just maybe he'd be able to avoid the attack with the girl in her arms. "...." Due to his situation, he doesn't get the chance to react to Krausers sudden appearance to lay justice or whatever it was upon the Psycho Three, but if he could, he would ask Krauser if he really did just use the word 'Whelps' in his sentance.

Munch, Munch....Munch. A tasty sausage, but ultimately small--no doubt meant to make people spend ridiculous amounts of money in order to have something approximating a full snack, nevermind a meal. Tony's frown deepens as the fight seems to suddenly melt away to nothing--Iori, it seemed, was the only one who shared Tony's sentiment...and that was going to get bodyshielded by Rock. "Go fuggin' figure," Tony mutters, watching the Orochi women carefully. "A big thr--"
His commentary is cut off by the large sum of doom rolling in on the streetfight, looking for all the world like it was going to just wipe everyone out in a go...starting with Mature. This...this turn of events was going to require some further consideration. What in the hell to do now?
"Yo, Blondie!"
If he couldn't teach her to take the shots in the back, maybe Krauser could do the job for him. That would be...really efficient, on his part. He didn't even have to spar with her anymore to get her aggressiveness up.
"Wake the fuck up! Get your head in the game!" Tony, Sideline Coaching Staff. The best Armchair Quarterback /ever/. But...hold on. Benimaru said something, didn't he? Yes. Yes he did...during that whole 'Here comes the Krauser' thing. Little Boy?
"Oh, you poor, confused Michael Jackson turned R-Kelly wannabe sex symbol," Tony intones, voice flooding with raising ire. "Why don't you..." Tony stops, as if the effort of putting together a witty repartee was just...too damn much effort. Talking with Beni was difficult before, like talking to a brick wall. He'd have to take a different tactic.

COMBATSYS: Tony has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Krauser          0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Tony focuses on his next action.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Krauser          0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Rock overcomes Yami Barai from Iori with Raging Storm.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Krauser          0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

Iori turns his attention off of Rock /again/ -- a mistake. Rock lunges forward and /around/ Iori, his entire body fading into a blur of red and white as he puts himself right between Benimaru and Iori. Even as Krauser roars into the battle, Rock's red glare is fixed solely onto Iori. "You..." As the Yami Barai races towards his face, Rock's fists, still blazing with energy from his improvised Double Reppuken, slam straight down into the ground. And then something starts to happen. Point blank range with Iori; there's no room for error. "Are not going to hurt anybody but me today, Yagami. Raging..." Rock's body EXPLODES with chi, blasting the Yami Barai right out the ground and consuming it as the point-blank waves of chi wrap around and around his body, hopefully catching Iori at this close range. "... STOOOOOOOOORM!"

COMBATSYS: Iori blocks Rock's Raging Storm.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Krauser          0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|===----\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

"I'm afraid you're wrong on that count, Rock." He seems to weather the Raging Storm just fine, actually, pleased that it seemed to do relatively little damage against him after having nullified the brunt of his Darkness Sweep. Shaking his head at Rock, he just... starts... laughing. "You see... *chuckle* I've already hurt plenty of people today." The scars on his arm are a testament to his battle with Vice -- one in which he pretty much quelled any resolve she might have had against doing any damage to him. At least, in his mind anyway. "But..." Without further ado, Yagami launches into a vicious rushing elbow, hoping to distract Rock long enough for his other hand to come racing forward for his face. "At least you're learning, boy." He might not want to stick around for the blaze of fiery energy that's due to erupt from Yagami's palm, if that hits.

The large hulking mammoth of a man barreling at Mature took her completely off guard. The other two she could of handled, or at least accepted the possibility of being attacked from, but Krauser seemed to come out of no where. Even more surprising to Mature however was Vice knocking her out of the way. Rolling a bit then gathering to her feet, the blond haired, blue eyed woman couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Vice.. you.." Is all she gets out before her anger boils up as much as it ever does. Reguardless of the outcome of his attack on Vice, Mature having finished resting as far as she was concerned raised to full height and slashed her claws through the air at Krauser, sending a wave of energy. "Now Cry for me tears of despair," Mature hisses.

COMBATSYS: Vice blocks Krauser's Leg Tomahawk.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

Vice didn't particularly -care- for Mature. No. Care was far too strong a word. Still, it grieved her somewhat, in her more lucid state, to see Krauser barreling down on the woman with intent to hurt. Throwing her shoulder into Mature's side to knock her out of the way, Vice soon regrets her moment of temporary heroism. Because despite the fact that she was able to twist her body out of the way, taking the blow in the shoulder instead of the chin...

That hurt. That -fuckin'- hurt.

The blow propels the Orochi woman backwards a few meters, to land flat on her back, gazing up into the clear blue skies over Strolheim a moment. However, she quickly flows to her feet, her shoulder protesting the movement bitterly. "Fuck you, Mature." Vice spits at Mature's direction, before charging the mammoth of a man that is the master of Strolheim. Quickly aiming a kick at his side, he may soon find that the kick was not quite a normal one. As it flew towards it's target, a blue aura began to surround her foot. Chi. Quite a rare thing from Vice.

COMBATSYS: Krauser blocks Mature's Ebony Tears.

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Krauser blocks Vice's Outrage.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Krauser          0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

Krauser struck, and that's reassuring - even though the movement he caught out of the corner of his eye confirms the suspicion that his attack was juggled to another target. Not that it matters, in the long run.
Immediately crouching and drawing his arms up into a guarding stance, the nobleman simply lets the various attacks bounce off his freakishly effective defense. Even as they attack, he speaks:
"Strolheim has been my family's home since the rise of civilization! I will not allow you to despoil it. I swear to you that every last one of you will be hunted down like the dogs you are!"
Standing once the attacks stop, Krauser bellows, leaping towards Vice with raised knee, the momentum enough to cause significant damage if it were to strike its intended target - her face, naturally.

Benimaru looked a bit relieved by Rocks quick action- Talk about saved by the bell! But there wasn't any time for thanks, he continuing back toward his stunned.. Uh.. Co-workers. The head photographer rushes to take Megumi from the models arms, whom then quickly rushes on over to the equipment jeep- more than likely off to the nearest medical facilities. No, seriously.
And now? Now it was time for some serious beat down time, and Tony was right to give up on any verbal assault against Benimaru of all people, it went in one ear and out the other, and does the same now. But hey, maybe he'll be happy to know the electric warrior is back in the fight now! "......" electricity shooting about his body again, his once neatly brushed hair starts to stand up and perhaps Iori could /feel/ the glare thrown in his direction, even from the distance apart they were from.
And he blazed toward the nutball, blazing right past Tony, teeth grit, seeming completely focused on Iori and him alone.

COMBATSYS: Benimaru focuses on his next action.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Krauser          0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Rock blocks Iori's Koto Moon Negative.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Krauser          0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

Rock gets snagged, and that, in and of itself, hurts. But... he manages to recoil before the blast of chi nails him -- and that's more than enough for him, at the moment. "You oughta pay attention too, pal... class is in session!" Without wrestling free of Iori's attack, Rock leans backwards and brings both knees up as /hard/ as he can to strike Iori right underneath the chin, intent on knocking him senseless while he's close enough to do so. Skill isn't apparent in a movement like this; it's all raw hitting power and raw hope, two things that Rock's not shy on.

Well, this was becoming a situation. Once upon a time, all Tony wanted to do was to enjoy the town...and, theoretically, he still could. All he had to do was walk away. Noone was really paying him any attention, he could beat feet and call it a day.
He could also take up accounting. Both options seemed equally implausable at that point. Tony only met Benimaru twice now for any appreciable length of time, and his personal opinion of the man managed to sink into new depths with every go. Vainglorious to an extreme, it rubbed all of his sensibilities the wrong way....and perhaps it was that last part, that last verbal blow that drove Tony past the reasoning point.
But his anger isn't the supernatural, white, burning rage or the Orochi folk...no, no, he'd pick his spots, take his shots when they were convient. Benimaru is allowed to pass by without protest--even trying to flash a toothy smile at the model as he whizzed by--before attempting to drive a pair of knees into his back...one in the kidney, one at the base of the neck.
"Didn't I just tell you not to turn your back! Jesus fuck, how dense /are/ you?!?"

COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Rock's Random Weapon.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Krauser          0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

Megumi could probably use that sentiment. The whole 'rushed to a medical place' idea. She's easy enough to hand over, and put in the jeep. And now that she's had a moment to figure out what's going on? Well...sleepy-time. She's hurting, and was only staying awake to prevent being completely vulnerable. Even as she's set down in the vehicle, she lapses into unconsciousness. About time, too.

Iori shakes his head, simply pulling a few long strides sideways to evade Rock's ridiculously slow attack -- in case it were to turn into one of Bogard's hopelessly embarassing inverted kicks. "Sorry, not interested in breakdancing lessons." And with Mature and Vice focusing on Krauser... well. Iori can't let the two girls down, can he? ... Well, yes. He's easily distracted. Rock's been thwarting his plans ever since he saved K''s life so many months ago with his timely intervention. "Always the fucking hero, aren't you?" rumbles Yagami, before leaping into action, spinning a quick 180 to impart more momentum into a riotous overhand attack, a wide arc of flame lighting the sky as he slams it downward at Rock.

"Don't get soft on me Vice, or I'll let them have their way with you," is Mature's sweet and chiding response to the woman who just knocked her out of the way of a devastating attack and is now taking the brunt force. This of course leave Mature with the abilitiy to be amused by this all going on and take Krauser on at a distance. She calls to him while raising her arms, "If this is the home of your ancestors... Then I'll send you on a lovely trip to join them!" And with anothre swipe of her arms sends a second wave of energy from her finger tips, like she was cutting the very air.

COMBATSYS: Vice parries Krauser's Knee Smasher!

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

Vice appeared, strangely unconcerned as Krauser bore down upon her, even taking the time to stare up into his eyes with her own wavering ones. Size generally didn't bother her, she had destroyed too many big men that believed they were tough before. But Krauser was different. As the massive man charges her, Vice waits until the very last moment, before leaping upwards, -over- his knee.

Spreading her legs wide, she then attempts to quickly snap them shut upon the sides of Krauser's massive chest, effectively dodging the move, and setting her up high enough for what she planned to do next. -Claw- at Krausers face with her fingernails. Of course, this is if all goes according to Vice's plan.

COMBATSYS: Krauser blocks Mature's Ebony Tears.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Krauser blocks Vice's Death Blow EX.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0             Iori
[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1           Mature
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

Krauser sails past Vice, landing heavily while listening for taletell clues of incoming attacks. His paranoia serves him well, because the early warning allows him to smash his fist through the Ebony Tears and raise his forearm to deal with the claw to the face.
And then - another voice. Wolfgang glances towards Tony, remembering him from the tournament. He knew that Vega entered his minions, Ryu had told him that much. Vice had entered - could Tony be working for R as well? What about Iori? How many R fighters were lurking here, waiting to join the battle?
The Blacknoah disappearing from the watchful gaze of Strolheim's information web, the constant thorn of Mature and Vice's presence. Could they have been a forward guard? Was the Blacknoah staging an attack? Rugal had assaulted Strolheim once.
The pieces were all there. Even if the chance of them fitting together correctly were tiny, no chances could be taken.
"You have forfeited your right to honorable battle. Guards! To me!"
The effect is immediate. The ten Strolheim fighters give up a unified yell and charge into the melee, fists raised. Somewhere in the distance another voice rings, "Guards! Guards!" and then another - the castle was on alert, and that alert has been triggered.
The head of Strolheim snarls, "You will not win today," raising his hands into the air. A distant wind howls, rushing nearer and nearer, like a pack of wolves baying as they close in on their kill. The air turns cold, spiraling around...
...and, then, in a shock, that very same air rises up to fight. With a deafening shriek, the entire world around Krauser seems to spin about violently, chi cutting to the very bone - Mature and Vice's bones, if they did not run.

COMBATSYS: Benimaru blocks Tony's Panther Assault.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1           Mature
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Mature dodges Krauser's Giant Cyclone.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|===----\-------\0             Iori
[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1           Mature
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/----===|=======\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

She knew this would happen eventually. Troops would arrive and overwhelm them. This was because Mature hadn't planned this in advance. It was a mere whim that they do this. In a way to get back at Krauser but also just her wicked little heart thirsting for violence. Now she was begining to pay the price. There were soldiers and plenty of them, more comming infact. If that wasn't enough, Krauser begins to do something particularly nasty. Bringing her arms up, Mature tries to jump out of reach of it as quickly and best she can. Oh and there is Vice. She can't just leave her there. Assuming she's still consious, well either way, "Damnit Vice, Must I do everything for you?" She hisses with a venomous touch and tries to grab her by the back of her dress to get her to retreat.

Benimaru wasn't showing any signs of even aknowledging Tonys existance it would seem- He was focused completely on Iori but obviously took into account that he had annoyed Tony and he'd retaliate.. Which was probably his intention the whole time. Beni smirked, leaning away from the attack so it still connected, just unfortunatly not with as much damage that was originally intended, "I don't have time for trash," is all that's uttered.
As for the calvary, it was certainly good news, but he wasn't going to be satisfied with that alone, no way, he leapt into the air then at Iori, seeming to have no problem with kicking him in the back of his head. Were that to connect, he'd spin into a sobat kick into his back and then finish that bad boy with a flip kick, the burst upward assisted by a pillar of good ol' electricity, "KYAH!"

"You do--" If Tony was irate before, he's downright P.O'ed now. Tony /wants/ to produce some witty repartee if for no other reason than to accomplish some one-upmanship, but all that's coming out is static and noise. The fact that Krauser's hired ninja death squad just rolled out of the cracks of the city adds more to his confusion, but as far as he knows he's not who they're going after. He was going to shit-beat him some Benimaru, and that would be that. Another knee is driven forward, though this time the rest of his body follows behind, leaving the ground and aiming for the small of his back.

COMBATSYS: Rock blocks Iori's Tsumagushi.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1           Mature
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Rock             0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\0             Vice
                                  >  ////////////////////////////  ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Krauser successfully hits Vice with Giant Cyclone.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1           Mature
[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Rock             0/-------/--=====|=======\======-\1             Vice
                                  >  ////////////////////////////  ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

One more blow eaten -- one more quick work of his arms over his head to protect himself. By the time the goon squad starts to pour in, Rock is completely fixated on Iori. He could care less about the Strolheim brigade rolling in. THere is, for him... only Iori, and nothing but. Fists still infused with raw chi -- chi that seems to be overflowing within his body -- Rock launches himself forward once again, swiping one hand over the ground and rushing towards Iori like a gust of wind... and right behind it is Rock, attacking again and again without relent.

COMBATSYS: Iori dodges Rock's Reppuken.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|====---\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/-======|=======\=------\1           Mature
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Rock             0/-------/--=====|=======\======-\1             Vice
                                  >  ////////////////////////////  ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Iori with Handou Sandan Geri.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0             Iori
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Benimaru         0/-------/=======|=======\=------\1           Mature
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Rock             0/-------/--=====|=======\======-\1             Vice
                                  >  ////////////////////////////  ]
                                 |-------\-------\0             Tony

When Mature grabs the back of Vice's dress, Vice shrugs the other woman off, a smirk on her lips as she stares down Krauser, despite the whirling waves of ki. Brave? Not really. Stupid was more like it. "Back off, Mature. He isn't so..."

It was at that moment that the cyclone hits her. The initial impact was not that as painful as it -could- have been, interesting enough. It was being flung into the side of one of the buildings that made the attack utterly devastating to the "secretary". With a groan, she rolls out of the side of the building, most likely being half-dragged, and half-moving on her own back to the R encampment.

Making use of the confusion caused by the huge attack Krauser does, Mature half drags Vice away, shouting over her shoulder, "Iori, Tony.. The chopper leaves in TEN MINUTES". No, she isn't waiting up for anyone else.

Iori was spending so much time focusing on Rock that he really didn't care to pay much attention to the others. Sure, the calls of 'guards' go unnoticed, but for the most part... ... he really wasn't paying attention to the rest. Such that when Rock throws a Reppuken at him, he jumps to the side -- only to be absofrigginlutely NAILED by Benimaru's attack, sending him reeling forward with one hand to the ground to steady himself. ... But... right about then, Mature's words sink in. WHy is she saying that? Shaking his head dizzily from the attack, he casts a quick glance over to the unasked-for reinforcement, smirking wryly. "Tony." he repeats. "Scram." As far as he cares, the mission of pulverizing Megumi was completed. So he really has no qualms about waving to Rock. "Next time, Howard, you can break it on down for me." And with that, Yagami runs for the hills.

COMBATSYS: Iori has left the fight here.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1           Mature
[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Benimaru         0/-------/=======|=======\======-\1             Vice
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Rock             0/-------/--=====|-------\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Tony successfully hits Benimaru with Flying Knee Thrust.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1           Mature
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Benimaru         1/------=/=======|=======\======-\1             Vice
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Rock             0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0             Tony

COMBATSYS: Vice has left the fight here.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1           Mature
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Benimaru         1/------=/=======|==-----\-------\0             Tony
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rock             0/-------/--=====|

Benimaru didn't seem... Completely satisfied with the results of his attack, but he supposed he had to take what he could get. It mas more or less an empty victory for himself, but in the end the important thing was that the girl was taken off to safety. He could beat himself up about his carelessness later, "Eh?" before he can turn around he's nailed in the back and falls to the ground, but he rolls quickly to get to his feet again, "Tsk, I thought I dealt with you already, ugly," he mumbles. Well, he supposed he could take out a little frustration on the thug, he hopping forward and attempting to grasp at his neck with his left hand. Were that to connect, his right hand would raise, a ball of elecricity forming in his palm that he then thrusts into Tonys chest, "Didn't I already make it clear, that you make me sick?"

COMBATSYS: Benimaru successfully hits Tony with Benimaru Collider.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1           Mature
[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Benimaru         1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0             Tony
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rock             0/-------/--=====|

Benimaru delivers a good shock to Tony, nothing lethal obviously, just enough to give him plently of pain before tossing him aside afterward, wiping off his gloved hands on his pants in disgusts. "... Well at least I wore gloves."

Confusion. Anger and Confusion. It probably was what Benimaru was shooting for, and that little logical bit of his mind screamed for calm in order to handle his opposition...but there was so much going on. /Why/ were fighters pouring out of the nooks and crannies? What in the hell was going on? And what was Krauser screaming about? Iori's words are caught by the fighter, registering and being sorted away just as Benimaru's electricity ball finds a spot near his heart.
"Gyaah!" Tony starts, refocusing his attention on the kickboxer, now that he had it. Chaos was breaking loose left and right, which would have suited him just fine if it didn't look like they were coming for him too. Things getting disgusting quick, Tony would have to take the advice given. "A parting shot, cocksore.." Tony mutters, drawing himself up and moving backwards. Lashing out with a quick roundhouse, a trail of whitish energy follows behind the foot, outlining the arc that his roundhouse travels. Separating itself from the foot, the arc flies for the Shootfighter, changing color into a dark, deep blue/black midway. "/Panther Shot!/"

COMBATSYS: Benimaru overcomes Panther Shot from Tony with Raikou Ken.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Krauser          0/-------/------=|=======\=------\1           Mature
[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Benimaru         0/-------/----===|=====--\-------\0             Tony
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Rock             0/-------/--=====|

Benimaru simply smirked, he wasn't fully aware of what was going on himself, really.. But he was lovely. He was beautiful. And it was damn well about time that Tony realized that, "A parting shot?" he repeats curiously, the ball of electricity in his hand still glowing, but then bursts into a considerably brighter ball, causing a few street lights to flicker, and various lights hung in nearby shops to go dim, Benimarus hair shooting straight up, "You guessed before you even opened the present!! RAIKOU KEEEN!" said hand goes blazing forward now and it isn't nearly as nice as his collider, the blow apparently just absorbing whatever energy Tony was releasing and delivering twice the pain as a result. Perhaps he overdid it a bit, but at this point, he really didn't care, shoulders heaving a bit to see if the young man will get up from that blow or what.

COMBATSYS: Tony fails to slow Raikou Ken from Benimaru with Supreme Panther Shot.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Benimaru         0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1             Tony

"Pantherr..." Tony watches the ball hone in on his own offering, destroying his in a shock of sparks and cheesy special effects. He was getting used to being on the losing end of the fireball wars, but then...he was still new to the whole thing. New and exciting, as they say. Common sense would tell him to get out of the way after seeing it, but...common sense isn't very interesting for the Kickboxer neophyte. He'd test his chi-muscle now, rather than test it in the ring. Again, Tony executes a roundhouse kick, producing that same arc of energy...then following it up with a second before the first leg fully hits the ground. Body revolving in the air, a second arc--Much thicker, /meaner/ looking for lack of a better adjective, follows closely behind. "Supreme!"
Unfortunately, looking meaner and /being/ meaner are two wildly different things. Maybe his aim was bad, or maybe his concentration was shot, but the Raikou Ken just kept on coming, slamming into Tony's chest and sending him flying backwards into that poor eatery Tony emerged from to begin with.

Benimaru shakes his hand out, seeming satisfied at last, brushing off his arms this time, and.. Seems just a bit guilty for getting that shop involved in his scuffle. He -could- go in there and offer to pay, but perhaps when Tony comes too the owner will try to get the money from the thug instead. That seemed like a more satisfactory idea, and with a little laugh, slips his hands into his pockets, "It would have been nicer if that were Iori," he murmurs to himself, believing the battle was over and turned to prepare to leave. It looks like he wasn't going to be having his shoot today AND he'd be walking back to the hotel. What a pain.

COMBATSYS: Benimaru takes no action.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Benimaru         0/-------/----===|=======\-------\1             Tony

Tony recovers and emerges quickly enough, looking as though he were debating wheather or not to push the attack and finish it, or to cut out as Iori mentioned before. The decision, ultimately, is made for him--three contract fighters heading for him, shouting demands to cease resistance, seals the deal and allows for older instincts to take over. He wasn't going to bother asking why, or trying to explain himself to the footsoldiers...he'd find himself a nice little hole in the wall to hide in until the 'invasion alarm' blew over, and he could explain himself to Krauser face to face.
Or he could try to find that helicopter. Ten minutes and counting, it's not like you could hide a helicopter just anywhere. He also had questions that demanded answers...and answers to older questions than demanded more questions...and so on, and so forth. A dilemna...and one that needed to be ironed out quickly.
He'd figure it out while he was evading the authority. He'd only have to do it for a while, or so the logic went.

COMBATSYS: Tony has left the fight here.

[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Benimaru         0/-------/----===|

COMBATSYS: Benimaru has ended the fight here.

Log created by Iori, and last modified on 13:06:07 01/17/2005.